Portable electronic device comprising an environment-adaptable interface

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a portable electronic object ( 1 ) consisting of a “voice” user interface ( 2 ) containing sound signal-reception means ( 3 ) and a management unit ( 8 ) comprising sound signal-processing means ( 9   a ). The invention is characterised in that it also comprises an ambient noise sensor ( 10 ) which can be used to measure the level of ambient noise (Bm), said sensor being connected to the aformementioned control unit. The invention is further characterised in that the control unit also comprises comparison means ( 12   a ) which are used to compare the measured ambient noise level with a pre-defined noise level (Bo), and control means ( 13 ) which are arranged such as to deactivate the sound signal-processing means when the ambient noise level exceeds the pre-defined noise level (Bm&gt;Bo).

The present invention relates to a portable object, of the wristwatch,portable telephone or electronic diary type, comprising at least oneuser interface, for example of the vocal interface type, for receivingand transmitting signals and a control unit for the user interfacecomprising means for processing the transmitted and received signals.

Such portable objects are known from the prior art, particularly fromJapanese Patent No. 01-284 791, which concerns a diary watch with voicerecognition. A vocal interface is provided, allowing the user tointroduce his time schedule orally and word recognition means andstorage means for processing the received data and then storing the dataonce processed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,030 presents a portable communication deviceincluding a multimode user interface including a vocal interface and atactile or graphic interface. The portable device can pass automaticallyfrom a vocal interface standby mode to a vocal interface active modewhen the user selects the vocal interface, or conversely from the activestate to the standby state when the user selects another interface.

Such portable devices have, however, several drawbacks. In fact, sincethese types of device are portable, the user is capable of using them atany time and especially anywhere, for example in public transport orplaces. It often happens that the external or ambient conditions arealtered during use. For example it can happen that the ambient noisebecomes excessive so as to make the vocal interface unusable, the voicerecognition system no longer being able to interpret correctly thesounds it is receiving. Likewise, it can happen that the ambient lightbecomes insufficient for the user to use the tactile or graphicinterface comfortably. The idea consisting in this latter case in usinglighting means is unsatisfactory since these lighting means consume toomuch energy, moreover, in the case of a tactile screen, a large part ofthe illumination is filtered by the latter. The use of a user interfacealso depends on the environment in which the portable object is located,thus, a user interface using a tactile glass or touch sensitive screenor panel for receiving data cannot be used in a liquid environment.Likewise, an interface using radio-frequency signal reception cannot beused in an environment where too many unwanted frequencies are received.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the aforementioneddrawbacks, by preventing the user from using an interface, for example avocal interface, when the latter is no longer able to operate properly,and, as far as possible, allowing the user to still be able to use anoperational interface.

Thus the present invention, according to one embodiment, concerns aportable electronic object comprising a first user interface includingsound signal reception means and a management unit including soundsignal processing means, characterised in that it further includes anambient noise sensor for measuring an ambient noise level, the noisesensor being connected to the management unit and in that saidmanagement unit also includes first comparison means for comparing theambient noise level with a predefined noise level, and control meansarranged for deactivating the sound signal processing means when theambient noise level exceeds the predefined noise level.

According to another embodiment, the portable electronic object includesa first user interface, at least a second user interface and a userinterface management unit including first and at least second processingmeans respectively associated with the first and at least second userinterfaces, characterised in that it further includes means formeasuring at least one external parameter linked to at least one of theuser interfaces, the measuring means being connected to the managementunit, and in that the control unit also includes comparison means forcomparing a measured level with a predefined level of the externalparameter, and control means arranged for activating or deactivating theprocessing means associated with the user interface linked to themeasured external parameter as a function of the result of thecomparison.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, theportable electronic object further includes warning means activated forwarning the user when said processing means of one of the userinterfaces are deactivated.

The invention also concerns a method of determining a user interface ofa portable electronic object according to the various embodimentsdescribed hereinbefore.

The invention will be explained hereinafter in detail for embodimentsgiven solely by way of example, these embodiments being illustrated bythe annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the portable object according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an operating table of the portable processing means objectas a function of external conditions;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a portable object according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a decision tree according to a preferred variant of thesecond embodiment of the portable object;

FIG. 5A shows a possible sequencing example of the tests carried outwithin a complete check of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B shows a possible sequencing example of the tests carried outwithin a partial check of FIG. 4.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 1 is applicable to any type of portableelectronic object 1 and preferably to a wristwatch or a portabletelephone. Portable object 1 includes in particular a first userinterface 2 called a “vocal” interface comprising sound signal receptionmeans 3, for example a microphone, and also able to include sound signaltransmission means 4, for example a loudspeaker.

Preferably, portable object 1 further includes a second user interface 5called the “tactile” interface, comprising control members 6, forexample push-buttons or tactile keys and display means 7, for example aliquid crystal display or simply a set of hands moving oppositeindications.

A management unit 8 controls the various user interfaces, and thus itincludes processing means associated with each of the user interfaces.Means for processing the sound signals 9 a associated with first userinterface 2 manage he received sound signals and where appropriate thesound signals to be transmitted and control member processing means 9 bassociated with second user interface 5 manage the received commands andwhere appropriate the data to be displayed.

As already mentioned hereinbefore, it is one of the objects of theinvention to be able to change the user interface as a function ofexternal conditions, in particular according to this embodiment, of theambient noise and ambient light. In order to do this, portable object 1is provided with an ambient noise sensor 10, and advantageously, a lightsensor 11. It will be noted that preferably, microphone 3 is used as theambient noise sensor and liquid crystal display 7 as the light sensor.

The ambient noise sensor enables measurements of the ambient noise levelto be taken, these measurements being transmitted to the management unitby means of the signal Bm. Light sensor 11 enables measurements of thelevel of light it is receiving to be taken, these measurements beingtransmitted to management unit 8 by means of a signal Lm. The managementunit with which the ambient noise and light sensors are associated,includes first and second comparison means 12 a and 12 b, forrespectively comparing the measured ambient noise level Bm with apredefined noise level Bo and the measured received light Lm with apredefined light level Lo. The first comparison means 12 a receive atone input the measured ambient noise level signal Bm from ambient noisesensor 10 and at the other input, a signal corresponding to a predefinednoise level Bo and the second comparison means 12 b receive at one inputthe measured received light level signal Lm from light sensor 11 and, atthe other input, a signal corresponding to a predefined light level Lo.As a function of the result of the comparison of the two signalsreceived at input, the first comparison means 12 a, respectively thesecond comparison means 12 b, send at output a control signalrespectively Cb, Cl to control means 13 arranged for deactivating thesound signal processing means 9 a and/or the control member processingmeans 9 b depending upon the result of the comparisons carried out bycomparison means 12 a and 12 b. An example of controlling the activationand deactivation of the various processing means, as a function ofexternal conditions, is given in the table of FIG. 2.

Advantageously, the management unit also includes warning means 14, forexample an electromagnetic vibrator, connected to control means 13.These warning means 14 are in particular used for warning the user, bymeans of mechanical vibrations, that one of the predefined levels (Bo,Lo) has been exceeded and that one of the user interfaces can no longerbe used or can be used again.

The table of FIG. 2 shows the active or inactive state of the processingmeans for the received sound signals and possibly signals to betransmitted (A), and processing means for the commands received by meansof the control members and possibly the data to be displayed (B), as afunction of the ambient noise and received light conditions.

As regards the ambient noise, a predefined noise level Bo will beassumed to correspond advantageously to the noise level beyond which thesound signal processing means (A) no longer operate properly. As regardsthe light received by the light sensor, a predefined light level Lo willbe assumed to correspond, for example, to a sufficient level ofluminosity to see clearly the data displayed by the display means of theportable object.

Thus:

-   -   for a measured ambient noise level Bm less than or equal to the        predefined noise level Bo and for a measured received light        level Lm greater than or equal to predefined light level Lo,        processing means A and/or B are activated;    -   for a measured ambient noise level Bm less than or equal to        predefined noise level Bo and for a measured received light        level Lm less than predefined light level Lo, processing means A        are activated and processing means B are deactivated;    -   for a measured ambient noise level Bm greater than predefined        noise level Bo and for a measured received light level Lm        greater than or equal to predefined light level Lo, processing        means A are deactivated and processing means B are activated;    -   for a measured ambient noise level Bm greater than predefined        noise level Bo and for a measured received light level Lm less        than predefined light level Lo, processing means A and B are        deactivated.

According to a variant of this first embodiment of the invention,warning means 14 are activated only when one of the predefined noise orlight levels is exceeded, leaving the user to choose whether tointerrupt the use of the function in progress.

It will be noted that the sound signal processing means (A) canconventionally include a voice recognition system for managing thereceived signals and a word synthesiser for managing the sound signalsto be transmitted.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a portable object, preferably adiary-watch, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Portable object 101 includes a first user interface IU1 called the“vocal” interface, similar to that described in the first embodiment.This first user interface comprises sound signal reception means 103,for example a microphone and is capable of also including sound signaltransmission means 104, for example a loudspeaker.

Portable object 101 further includes a second user interface IU2 calledthe “tactile” interface, including tactile data introduction means, likefor example a tactile crystal 106, including at least two electrodes ortactile keys, the operation of which is described in more detail in EPPatent Application Nos. 0 791 868 and 0 838 737, filed in the name ofthe Applicant and incorporated herein by reference, and data displaymeans 107, for example a liquid crystal display or LCD. It should benoted that in the preferred case of a wristwatch, the tactile crystal issuperposed on the LCD screen.

The portable object further includes a third user interface IU3, calledthe “radio-frequency or RF” interface, including radio-frequencyreception means 115, for example an RF antenna, for receiving theradio-frequency signals transmitted by an RF pen type transmitter 116with movement recognition and data display means 107. Preferably, thedisplay means for the second and third user interfaces IU2 and IU3 arethe same. It should be noted that the RF antenna could be used as an RFtransmitter. The RF transmissions between the pen and the portableobject can answer the requirements of the Bluetooth standard.

These three user interfaces are controlled by a management unit 108including first 109 a, second 109 b and third 109 c processing meansrespectively associated with first IU1, second IU2 and third IU3 userinterfaces. The first processing means 109 a process the sound signalsreceived via microphone 103 and possibly the sound signals to betransmitted by means of loudspeaker 104. The second processing means 109b process the data introduced by means of the keys of tactile screen 106and possibly display data on LCD screen 107. The third processing means109 c process the RF signals received from the RF pen 116 handled by theuser and possibly display data on LCD screen 107.

Portable object 101 also includes various means for measuring externalparameters linked to the user interfaces, these measuring means beingconnected to the management unit. There is provided, in particular, anambient noise sensor, advantageously microphone 103, for measuring anambient noise level (Bm), a light sensor advantageously using LCD screen107 to collect light in association with a diode that is not shown, fordetecting a received light level (Lm), an unwanted frequency sensor,advantageously RF antenna 115, for measuring the level of unwantedfrequencies (Om), and means detecting activation of each of theelectrodes of tactile crystal 106, advantageously incorporated in secondprocessing means 109 b, which send a signal (De) to control means 113,if all of tactile keys 106 are simultaneously activated.

Management unit 108 comprises first comparison means 112 a for comparingsaid ambient noise level (Bm) with a predefined noise level (Bo), secondcomparison means 112 b for comparing said received light level (Lm) witha predefined light level (Lo), third comparison means 112 c forcomparing the measured unwanted frequency level (Om) with a predefinedunwanted frequency level (0 o), and control means 113 arranging forrespectively deactivating:

-   -   sound signal processing means 109 a when the ambient noise level        exceeds the predefined noise level, Bm>Bo,    -   control member processing means 109 b when the received light        level passes below the predefined light level, Lm<Lo or when        simultaneous activation of said at least two electrodes is        detected, and    -   radio-frequency signal processing means 109 c when the received        light level passes below the predefined light level Lm<o, or        when the unwanted frequency level exceeds the predefined        unwanted frequency level, Om>Oo.

An example decision tree for choosing a user interface will be explainedin detail in FIG. 4.

Portable object 101 is also provided with warning means activated towarn the user when the processing means associated with one or severalof the user interfaces are deactivated. Advantageously, several warningmeans are provided in order to ensure that the user is properly warned.Means 117 for choosing between these various warning means are thenadded, the selection then being established as a function of at leastone predetermined criterion. There are, for example, first warning meansof the acoustic alarm type 114 a preferably activated when the receivedlight is less than the predefined light level, second warning means ofthe vibrating alarm type 114 b preferably activated when it is detectedthat the portable object is immersed in a liquid medium, and thirdwarning means of the flashing or light alarm type 114 c preferablyactivated when the ambient noise level exceeds the predefined noiselevel. Other selection criteria for the various warning means couldevidently be used.

It should be noted that, advantageously, the portable object furthercomprises success rate calculation means, not shown in FIG. 3, forchecking that the processing means associated with the interface usedare operating properly.

Advantageously, the portable object can also comprise pre-setting means,not shown, allowing the user to deactivate one or more user interfaces.These pre-settings offer the user the opportunity of deactivating, forexample, the first “vocal” user interface when he goes to the theatre orcinema.

It has already been mentioned that, as a function of an externalparameter, like the ambient noise, the received light, unwantedfrequencies or even the medium in which the portable object is immersed,the processing means of some of the user interfaces are deactivated, theprocessing means no longer being able to be used properly. It is alsopossible for one or several of the user interfaces to be longer able tobe used properly because of an inadvertent action by the user forexample as a function of his activity. Indeed, a user practising a sportsuch as running or cycling will have difficulty in properly using thesecond IU2 and third IU3 user interfaces. In order to solve this, theportable object is provided with movement sensors, like for example anaccelerometer 118, in order to determine whether the user's activityallows proper and reliable use of the various user interfaces. In thecase of an accelerometer, an acceleration level (Am) of the object ismeasured and compared, via fourth comparison means 112 d, to apredefined acceleration level (Ao) of this object. When the measuredacceleration level exceeds the predefined acceleration level, Am>Ao, theprocessing means of one or even all of the user interfaces could bedeactivated.

According to a variant of this second embodiment, the user is onlywarned that the processing means associated with one or several userinterfaces are no longer operating properly. Means for measuring atleast one external parameter linked to at least one of said userinterfaces allows an external parameter level to be measured, comparisonmeans compare this measured level with a predefined measurement of theparameter and as a function of the comparison result the warning meansare activated.

FIG. 4 shows a decision tree, according to a preferred variant of thesecond embodiment of the portable object, for determining a userinterface of a portable electronic object comprising several userinterfaces.

According to this variant, the user can carry out pre-settings beforeany use of the portable object. The purpose of these pre-settings is toallow the user to deactivate one or several initially available userinterfaces. In fact, it may be useful to be able to deactivate someinterfaces manually depending upon one's location, the activity one iscarrying out, etc. . . .

Assuming that the user does not want to carry out pre-settings,alternative NO, the portable object then performs a complete checkconsisting in carrying out all the tests provided, based on externalparameters, each linked to at least one of the interfaces in order todetermine which can be used in predefined acceptable conditions.Advantageously, there is at least one test for each of the three, vocal,tactile or RF user interfaces.

Assuming that the user wants to carry out pre-settings, alternative YES,it is possible for him to deactivate 1, 2 or 3 processing meansassociated with the three initially available user interfaces. Once thepre-settings have been carried out, the portable object makes a partialcheck consisting in carrying out only those tests based on the externalparameters linked to the user interfaces whose processing means have notbeen deactivated.

The detail of the tests that can be carried out within the scope of thecomplete and partial checks is described respectively in FIGS. 5A and5B.

Once the complete or partial check has been carried out, if no userinterface can be used in the predefined acceptable conditions, the useris warned by warning means of the type described in FIG. 3, a newchecking cycle is then undertaken either after a determined delay, orupon the user's request. If only one user interface can be used, it isautomatically selected and made active. If at least two user interfacescan be used, the portable object selects one of these interfaces as afunction of a predetermined criterion. This selection criterion can befor example, the level of energy consumption of each of the usable userinterfaces, the lowest energy-consuming interface being then selected.Another selection criterion can be the estimated mean data introductionspeed, the speediest interface then being selected, namely for theinterfaces described in FIG. 3, the first, third and second interfaces.Any other predefined selection criterion, in particular defined by theuser himself, can also be envisaged.

When a user interface has been selected, the processing means associatedwith that interface are then activated, these means interpreting andstoring data introduced by the user. Advantageously, a check isregularly carried out on the interpretation success rate of theprocessing means. A predefined level allows this success rate to bedivided into two categories, HIGH and LOW. If the success rate is HIGH,interpretation by the processing means of the data that the user wishesto introduce is satisfactory and interpretation can continue. If,however, the success rate is LOW, interpretation by the processing meansis mediocre and the portable object automatically deactivates theseprocessing means and carries out a partial check on the remaininginterfaces, taking account of pre-settings. During these operations, thewarning means can be activated in order to warn the user of thesituation.

FIG. 5A shows a possible sequencing example of the tests carried out ina complete check of FIG. 4.

First of all, it is possible to carry out in parallel an ambient noisemeasurement, “AMBIENT NOISE MEASUREMENT” and a received lightmeasurement, “RECEIVED LIGHT MEASUREMENT”.

The measured ambient noise level (Bm) is compared to a predefined noiselevel (Bo). When the measured ambient noise does not exceed thepredefined ambient noise, Bm<Bo, a signal is sent to the management unitto indicate that the first vocal interface can be used “VOCAL OK”.

The measured received light level (Lm) is compared to a predefined lightlevel (Bo). When the measured received light level exceeds or equals thepredefined light level, Lm>Lo, the second and third tactile and RFinterfaces are capable of being used, this is why two other tests arepreferably carried out in parallel. An ambient medium detection test,“WATER DETECTION”, to check whether the portable object has beenimmersed in a liquid medium, for example water, preventing the use ofthe tactile crystal and another test for checking the level of unwantedfrequencies, “UNWANTED FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT”, present in theenvironment of the portable object.

The ambient medium detection test, “WATER DETECTION”, allows activationof each of the electrodes of the tactile crystal to be detected. If nosimultaneous activation of all of the electrodes is detected, a signal(NO) is sent to the control unit to indicate that the second tactileuser interface can be used, “TACTILE OK”.

At the same time, the unwanted frequency level (Om) is compared to apredefined frequency level (Oo). When the measured unwanted frequencylevel does not exceed the predefined unwanted frequency level, Om<Oo, asignal is sent to the management unit to indicate that the third RF userinterface can be used, “RF OK”.

Once all the tests have been carried out, the management unit knowswhich user interfaces can be used.

FIG. 5B shows a possible sequencing example of the tests carried out ina partial check of FIG. 4.

The partial check differs from the complete check in that the user hasdefined pre-settings and/or in that the processing means of one of theuser interfaces have already been deactivated because of theirinterpretation rate is too low. Consequently, the measurement ordetection tests relating to the user interfaces whose processing meansare deactivated are not carried out.

There is thus the following pre-processing:

-   -   If the processing means of the first vocal user interface are        deactivated, the test consisting in carrying out an ambient        noise measurement is not carried out;    -   If the processing means of the second tactile user interface are        deactivated, the test consisting in detecting the activation of        the tactile crystal electrodes is not carried out;    -   If the processing means of the third RF user interface are        deactivated, the test consisting in measuring the unwanted        frequency level is not carried out;    -   If the processing means of the second and third, tactile and RF        user interfaces are deactivated, the test consisting in        measuring the received light is not carried out;    -   If the processing means of the three user interfaces are        deactivated, no tests are carried out.

Depending upon the results of this pre-processing, the management unitmay or may not carry out each of the available tests.

In the example shown, one preferably starts with the test for checkingthe received light level, “LIGHT TEST”.

If it does not have to be carried out (NON), it is not necessary tocarry out either the ambient medium test, “WATER TEST”, or the test forchecking the unwanted frequency level, “FREQUENCY TEST”. The managementunit then directly checks whether the test for checking the ambientnoise level, “NOISE TEST”, has to be carried out.

If it has to be carried out (YES), a received light level measurement iscarried out, “RECEIVED LIGHT MEASUREMENT”. The measured received lightlevel (Lm) is compared to a predefined light level (Lo). When thereceived light level passes below the predefined light level, Lm<Lo, itis not necessary to carry out either the “WATER TEST” or the “FREQUENCYTEST”. The management unit then checks directly whether the “NOISE TEST”has to be carried out. When the measured received light level exceeds orequals the predefined light level, Lm>Lo, the management unit checks, asa function of the pre-processing results, whether the “WATER TEST”and/or the “FREQUENCY TEST” have to be carried out.

If the “WATER TEST” has to be carried out (YES) and simultaneousactivation of all the electrodes is not detected during the detectiontest, “WATER DETECTION”, a signal (NON) is sent to the management unitto indicate that the second tactile user interface can be used, “TACTILEOK”.

If the “FREQUENCY TEST” has to be carried out (YES), an unwantedfrequency level measurement is carried out, “UNWANTED FREQUENCYMEASUREMENT”. The measured unwanted frequency level (Om) is compared toa predefined frequency level (0 o). When the measured unwanted frequencylevel does not exceed the predefined frequency level, Om<Oo, a signal issent to the management unit to indicate that the third RF user interfacecan be used, “RF OK”.

Once this information has been received, if the “NOISE TEST” has to becarried out (YES), an ambient noise level measurement is carried out,“AMBIENT NOISE MEASUREMENT”. The measured ambient noise level (Bm) iscompared to a predefined noise level (Bo). When the measured ambientnoise level des not exceed the predefined noise level, Bm<Bo, a signalis sent to the management unit to indicate that the first vocal userinterface can be used, “VOCAL OK”.

Once all the tests have been carried out, the management unit knowswhich of the user interfaces can be used.

As regards the check examples shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, it is entirelypossible to envisage altering the order of the tests carried out, oreven to carry them all out in parallel.

As previously mentioned, the invention also concerns a method ofdetermining one user interface among the available usable interfaces asa function of conditions external to the portable object.

In the case of a portable object including a first user interfacecomprising sound signal reception means, and a management unitcomprising first sound signal processing means, the method includes atleast the following operations:

-   -   carrying out a measurement of the ambient noise (Bm) by means of        an ambient noise sensor connected to said management unit;    -   comparing the measured ambient noise level to a predefined noise        level (Bo),    -   deactivating said first processing means when the measured        ambient noise level exceeds the predefined ambient noise level        (Bm>Bo).

If the portable object further includes a second user interfacecomprising a tactile crystal including at least two electrodes anddisplay means, a third user interface including radio-frequency signalreception means and display means, the management unit also includingsecond processing means for the tactile crystal and thirdradio-frequency signal processing means, the method then also includesthe following operations:

-   -   carrying out a measurement of the received light level (Lm) by        means of a light sensor connected to said management unit;    -   comparing the measured received light level to a predefined        light level (Lo);    -   deactivating said second and third processing means when the        measured received light level passes below the predefined light        level (Lm<Lo).        Advantageously, when the measured received light level exceeds        or is equal to the predefined light level (Lm>Lo), the method        also includes the following operations:    -   detecting the activation of each of said at least two electrodes        by means of a detector connected to said management unit;    -   deactivating said second processing means when simultaneous        activation of said at least two electrodes is detected;    -   carrying out a measurement of the unwanted frequencies (Om) by        means of an unwanted frequency sensor connected to the        management unit;    -   comparing the measured unwanted frequency level to a predefined        unwanted frequency level (Oo);    -   deactivating said third processing means when the measured        unwanted frequency level exceeds the predefined unwanted        frequency level (OM>Oo).

Preferably, the user can define pre-settings to indicate the processingmeans that should be automatically deactivated, and in such case themeasuring or detection operations relating to the user interfaces whoseprocessing means are deactivated, are not carried out.

The final object is to select a user interface that can be used, and forthis one interface is preferably selected from among the interfaceswhose processing means are not deactivated, in accordance with apredetermined criterion, such as energy consumption or processing speed.When one interface has been selected, the interpretation rate of theprocessing means associated with the selected user interface isperiodically calculated, then compared to a predefined minimuminterpretation rate, and finally the processing means of the selecteduser interface are deactivated if the calculated interpretation rate isless than the minimum predefined interpretation rate. The measuring ordetection operations relating to the user interfaces whose processingmeans are not deactivated, are then carried out again.

Moreover, the measuring or detection operations relating to the userinterfaces whose processing means are not automatically deactivated, arepreferably carried out regularly.

If none of the user interfaces can be used, the user is warned that noneof the user interfaces can be used by the warning means.

It should be noted that the description is given only by way of exampleand that other embodiments, in particular user interfaces and sensorsincorporated in the portable object, can form the subject of the presentinvention.

In particular, it should be noted that the sound signal processing meansof the vocal interface could be simply storage means for words receivedand to be transmitted. The portable object would then further includemeans for radio-frequency or infrared communication with a computer inorder to transmit and receive the stored words, voice recognition andsynthesising being carried out on the computer.

It should also be noted that for the sake of energy saving, thefunctions of the portable object, like for example an electronic diary,are not activated during usual use of the object as a watch ortelephone. These particular functions can be activated in various ways,particularly by specific activation of one of the user interfaces. Forthe vocal interface, a particular sound may be recognised. For thetactile interface, activation of a particular tactile key may bedetected. Finally, for the RF interface, a particular RF signaltransmitted by the RF pen may be detected.

When the functions of the portable object are being used, the user canchoose manually the interface that he wishes to use or he can let theobject determine the interface as a function of external parameters.

In this latter case, when the portable object is in a criticalenvironment for all of the interfaces, it can determine an interface touse by means of a fuzzy logic method, i.e. not on the basis ofpredefined threshold values, but on the basis of ranges of weightedvalues. This method has the advantage of allowing the object to be ableto choose the least critical interface when none of the interfaces are apriori able to be used.

It will be noted finally, that the light sensor used can be a lightsource able to measure the intensity of the ambient light as describedin EP Patent Application No. 02075879.3 filed in the name of theApplicant.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A portable electronic object including (a) a firstuser interface; (b) at least one second user interface; (c) a managementunit for said user interfaces including first and at least secondprocessing means respectively associated with said first and at leastsecond user interfaces; (d) means for measuring at least one externalparameter linked to at least one of said user interfaces, said measuringmeans being connected to said management unit; (e) comparison means forcomparing a level of said measured external parameter to a predefinedlevel of said external parameter; and (f) control means arranged foractivating or deactivating said processing means associated with saiduser interface linked to the measured external parameter as a functionof the result of the comparison, wherein the portable electronic objectfurther comprises: (g) means for selecting a user interface from amongsaid user interfaces whose associated processing means are notdeactivated, in accordance with a determined criterion.
 25. The portableelectronic object according to claim 24, wherein said first userinterface includes sound signal reception means, said first associatedprocessing means being sound signal processing means, said second userinterface includes control members and display means, said secondassociated processing means being control member processing means, saidmeasuring means include i. an ambient noise sensor for measuring anambient noise level, said management unit also including firstcomparison means for comparing said ambient noise level to a predefinednoise level, said control means being arranged for deactivating thesound signal processing means when the ambient noise level exceeds thepredefined noise level, wherein the measuring means further comprise alight sensor for measuring a received light level, said management unitalso including second comparison means for comparing said received lightlevel to a predefined light level, said control means also beingarranged for deactivating said control member processing means when thereceived light level passes below the predefined light level.
 26. Theportable electronic object according to claim 25, wherein said controlmembers are a tactile crystal including at least two electrodes, whereinsaid portable object also includes (h) means for detecting activation ofeach of said at least two electrodes, said detection means beingconnected to said management unit; and wherein said control means arealso arranged for deactivating said control member processing means whensimultaneous activation of said at least two electrodes is detected. 27.The portable electronic object according to claim 25, further including(h) a third user interface including radio-frequency signal receptionmeans and said display means, said management unit also includingradio-frequency signal processing means and wherein said control meansare also arranged for deactivating said radio-frequency signalprocessing means when the received light level passes below thepredefined light level.
 28. The portable electronic object according toclaim 25, further including (h) an unwanted frequency sensor formeasuring an unwanted frequency level, said control unit including thirdcomparison means for comparing said measured unwanted frequency level toa predefined frequency level, said control means also being arranged fordeactivating the radio-frequency signal processing means when theunwanted frequency level exceeds the predefined frequency level.
 29. Theelectronic object according to claim 28, further including (i) means formeasuring an acceleration level of said portable object; and (j) fourthcomparison means for comparing the measured acceleration level to apredefined acceleration level, said management unit control means beingcapable of deactivating the various user interface processing means whenthe measured level exceeds the predefined level.
 30. The portableelectronic object according to claim 27, further including (i) warningmeans activated to warn the user in the event of deactivation of saidsound signal, control member or radio-frequency signal processing means.31. The portable electronic object according to claim 25, wherein saiddisplay means in association with a diode are used as the light sensor,wherein said sound signal reception means are also used as the ambientnoise sensor and wherein the radio-frequency signal reception means arealso used as the unwanted frequency sensor.
 32. The portable electronicobject according to claim 24 wherein the application predeterminedcriterion is selected in accordance with the following criterions: theenergy consumption level of each of the user interfaces that can beused, that having the lowest consumption being selected; the estimateddata introduction mean speed, that offering the highest speed beingselected.
 33. The Portable electronic object according to claim 30,wherein said warning means include i. first warning means of theacoustic alarm type; ii. second warning means of the vibrating alarmtype; and iii. third warning means of the flashing alarm type; andwherein said management unit further includes means for selectingbetween said first, second and third warning means as a function of atleast one predetermined criterion.
 34. The portable electronic objectaccording to claim 24, wherein the portable object is a diary watch. 35.The portable electronic object according to claim 24, wherein themanagement unit also includes means for determining an interface basedon a fuzzy logic method when no interface can a priori be used.
 36. Themethod of determining a user interface of a portable electronic objectincluding a first user interface, at least a second user interface, amanagement unit for said user interfaces including first and at leastsecond processing means respectively associated to said first and atleast second user interfaces, the method including the followingoperations: (a) carrying out the measurement of at least one externalparameter linked to at least one of said user interfaces by means of asensor for sensing the level of the external parameter, the sensor beingconnected to the management unit; (b) comparing the measured externalparameter level to a predefined external parameter level; (c)deactivating said processing means associated to the user interfacelinked to the measured external parameter in accordance to the result ofthe comparison; wherein the method includes the following additionaloperation: (d) selecting a user interface among the user interfaceswhose associated processing means are not activated in accordance with apredetermined criterion.
 37. The method of determining a user interfaceof a portable electronic object including a first user interface, atleast a second user interface, a management unit for said userinterfaces including first and at least second processing meansrespectively associated to said first and at least second userinterfaces, the method including the following operations: (a) carryingout the measurement of at least one external parameter linked to atleast one of said user interfaces by means of a sensor for sensing thelevel of the external parameter, the sensor being connected to themanagement unit; (b) comparing the measured external parameter level toa predefined external parameter level; (c) deactivating said processingmeans associated to the user interface linked to the measured externalparameter in accordance to the result of the comparison; wherein themethod includes the following additional operation: (d) selecting a userinterface among the user interfaces whose associated processing meansare not activated in accordance with a predetermined criterion; whereinthe portable electronic object includes i. a first user interface; ii.at least one second user interface; iii. a management unit for said userinterfaces including first and at least second processing meansrespectively associated with said first and at least second userinterfaces; iv. means for measuring at least one external parameterlinked to at least one of said user interfaces, said measuring meansbeing connected to said management unit; v. comparison means forcomparing a level of said measured external parameter to a predefinedlevel of said external parameter; and vi. control means arranged foractivating or deactivating said processing means associated with saiduser interface linked to the measured external parameter as a functionof the result of the comparison; wherein the portable electronic objectfurther comprises v. means for selecting a user interface from amongsaid user interfaces whose associated processing means are notdeactivated, in accordance with a determined criterion, wherein saidfirst user interface includes sound signal reception means, said firstassociated processing means being sound signal processing means; saidsecond user interface includes control members and display means, saidsecond associated processing means being control member processingmeans; and said measuring means include an ambient noise sensor formeasuring an ambient noise level, said management unit also includingfirst comparison means for comparing said ambient noise level to apredefined noise level, said control means being arranged fordeactivating the sound signal processing means when the ambient noiselevel exceeds the predefined noise level, wherein the measuring meansfurther comprise a light sensor for measuring a received light level,said management unit also including second comparison means forcomparing said received light level to a predefined light level, saidcontrol means also being arranged for deactivating said control memberprocessing means when the received light level passes below thepredefined light level; wherein for the first user interface thefollowing operations are carried out: (e) carrying out a measurement ofthe ambient noise level by means of an ambient noise sensor connected tothe management unit; (f) comparing the measured ambient noise level to apredefined noise level; and (g) deactivating said first processing meanswhen the measured ambient noise level exceeds the predefined noiselevel; and wherein the following operations are carried out for thesecond user interface: (h) carrying out a measurement of the receivedlight level by means of a light sensor connected to said managementunit; (i) comparing the measured received light level to a predefinedlight level; and (j) deactivating said second and third processing meanswhen the measured received light level passes below the predefined lightlevel.
 38. A method of determining a user interface of a portable objectaccording to claim 37, said portable object wherein said second userinterface includes a tactile crystal including at least two electrodesand display means and wherein a third user interface is provided, saidthird user interface including radio-frequency signal reception meansand said display means, said management unit also comprising secondtactile crystal processing means and third radiofrequency signalprocessing means, wherein the method also includes the followingoperations when the measured received light level exceeds the predefinedlight level: (k) detecting the activation of each of said at least twoelectrodes by means of a detector connected to said management unit; (l)deactivating said second processing means when simultaneous activationof said at least two electrodes is detected; (m) carrying out ameasurement of the unwanted frequencies by means of an unwantedfrequency sensor connected to the management unit; (n) comparing themeasured unwanted frequency level to a predefined unwanted frequencylevel; and (o) deactivating said third processing means when themeasured unwanted frequency level exceeds the predefined unwantedfrequency level.
 39. A method of determining a user interface of aportable object according to claim 38, wherein it includes a preliminaryoperation consisting for the user in: (p) defining pre-settings forindicating the processing means to be automatically deactivated; andwherein the measuring or detection operations relating to the userinterfaces whose processing means are deactivated, are not carried. 40.A method of determining a user interface of a portable object accordingto claim 38, wherein it includes the following subsequent operations of:(q) calculating an interpretation rate of said processing meansassociated with the selected user interface; (r) comparing thecalculated interpretation rate with a predefined minimum interpretationrate; and (s) deactivating the processing means of the selected userinterface if the calculated interpretation rate is less than the minimuminterpretation rate, and wherein the measuring or detection operationsrelating to the user interfaces whose processing means are notdeactivated, are carried out again.
 41. A method of determining a userinterface of a portable object according to claim 40, further including,if no user interface can be used, an operation consisting in: (t)warning the user that none of the user interfaces are usable via warningmeans.
 42. A method of determining a user interface of a portable objectaccording to claim 40, wherein periodically the measuring or detectionoperations relating to the user interfaces whose processing means arenot automatically deactivated, are carried out again.
 43. A method ofdetermining a user interface of a portable object according to claim 36,wherein if none of the interfaces can a priori be used, the managementunit determines an interface on the basis of a fuzzy logic method.